(Kuala Lumpur, 8th) The search operation for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in a new area of the southern Indian Ocean has, to date, still not uncovered any clues that could confirm the location of the aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) noted that the Malaysian government and Ocean Infinity signed an agreement on March 25 last year to launch a subsea search operation in a new region of the southern Indian Ocean estimated to cover an area of 15,000 square kilometers, seeking the remains of MH370.
The bureau stated in a press release that the operation was carried out on a “no find, no fee” basis in two phases: the first stage from March 25 to 28 last year, and the second stage from December 31 last year to January 23 this year.
“After the agreement was signed, the two phases totaled 28 days of searching, during which approximately 7,571 square kilometers of seafloor in the designated search area were surveyed.”
“Ocean Infinity has indicated that prior to the formal signing of the agreement in March last year, the company carried out additional survey activities over a broader area as part of its support for the search effort.”
AAIB mentioned that the operation was repeatedly hampered by adverse weather and ocean conditions, and the second phase concluded on January 23 this year.
“As of this information update, the search activities conducted have not yielded any clues capable of confirming the location of the plane’s wreckage.”
The bureau also stated that the government remains committed to briefing the families and will continue to provide the latest updates as the situation develops.
On March 8, 2014, MH370, carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew, disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and has never been found.
The first search operation by the Ocean Infinity vessel began on a 25,000-square-kilometer area of the southern Indian Ocean in January 2018 and concluded in June that same year, but also ended fruitlessly.